March 1, 2010

Agenda for Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Filed under: Agendas — michael @ 10:36 am

Agenda for Tuesday, March 16, 2010; 9:30am

Location: Rochester Hills Public Library
500 Olde Towne
Rochester Hills, MI 48307
248-656-2900

Map/Directions: http://www.rhpl.org/about/visit

Usual Business:
Introductions
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
TLN Update
Announcements & Upcoming Events
- Joomla Training, Plymouth, 3/18/2010 @ 9:30am

Discussion Topics:
E-Readers (Discussion and Demo)
Searchpath – Further Review and Suggested Updates

Sharing Resources:
Security Issues
Tech Tips
Web Sites Worth a Look
Library Tour

Next Meeting: Tuesday, April 20 @ Auburn Hills

February 23, 2010

Minutes – February 16, 2010

Filed under: Minutes — goke @ 4:18 pm

TLN Technology Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Northville District Library

1. Usual Business:

1.1 Order and Approvals

  • Meeting called to order at 9:45am
  • Agenda for February 16, 2010 Approved
  • Minutes from January 19, 2010 Approved

1.2 TLN Update
TLN 1. Router and Switch Purchase

  • Adam is finalizing the configurations on the routers and switches
  • Libraries will be contacted within the next 2 weeks to schedule site visits within the next month.  TLN has requested volunteers for during-the-day swaps, if possible, rather than off-hours and weekends.  Please let TLN know if swaps during regular business hours are a possibility.
  • The goal is to have all equipment installed by April 1, 2010

TLN 2. Stimulus Grant Award – Round 1

  • 25 TLN libraries received stimulus grant monies.  It was specific to Oakland County libraries only.
  • TLN is coordinating equipment purchases for libraries wishing to take advantage of the volume discount.
  • TLN received grant monies also for purchasing laptops for a mobile lab.

TLN 3. Stimulus Grants – Round 2

  • Conference Call, Feb 19, 1-2pm for any interested Oakland County libraries that did not participate in Round 1

TLN 4. Quarterly Bulk Purchase Order

  • Flashdrive, earbud, and headphone order due by March 2
  • Dell e-quotes due March 1
  • 2010 schedule will change.  Some items will be ordered less frequently.  New items are being considered (for example, firewalls).

1.3 Announcements & Upcoming Events

  • Basic Joomla Training will be held on March 18 @ Plymouth District Library.  Watch the Tech Comm mailing list for details.

2. Discussion Topics

2.1 TLN Technology Services and Products Presentation

  • Click HERE for the presentation slides listing available services along with the survey to gauge interest in new technology offerings.
  • Note: Hard copies of these slides will be included in the TLN Tech Comm Minutes archive folder.
  • Additional Note: Virtual Reference Statistic can be viewed here: http://virtualreference.tln.lib.mi.us/reports

2.2 Licensing for the New User Tutorial

  • Committee agreed to adopt Creative Commons licensing model for the New User Tutorial (a.k.a. “The NUT”).
  • View the tutorial here: http://tech.tln.lib.mi.us/tutor/

2.3 Searchpath/Tutorial Review: http://tln.lib.mi.us/searchpath/index.html

  • UPDATE (2/16): A request was motioned to find out if area libraries are using Searchpath
  • Searchpath is a tutorial for using Information Resources.
  • Member libraries are encouraged to see if Searchpath would be of benefit.
  • Current state of Searchpath is “abandonware”.  It has not received a major update since 2007.
  • Some of the Flash content runs too fast for viewing on modern processors

3. Sub-Committee Updates

3.1 Video Conferencing Committee

  • Andy Halicki is the new TLN lead for the video conferencing project.
  • Sub-committee also includes Waterford, Brighton, and Novi
  • Committee has already met with Merit and various resellers and information consolidation is in progress
  • Future meetings upcoming

4. Sharing Resources

4.1 Security Issues

4.2 Tech Tips:

4.3 Web Sites Worth a Look

4.4 Library Tour
Meeting was adjourned at 11:45am
Next meeting: Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 9:30am
Location: Rochester Hills
Submitted by Gary Oke, WTLD

Attendees

Ron Andrews, Chelsea (CHEL)
Jeremy Chevalies, Ypsilanti (YDL)
Tolan Danko, Saline (SDL)
Cheryl DeCovich, Auburn Hills (AUBN)
Frank Ferguson, Plymouth
Gerald Furi, Farmington
Andy Halicki, The Library Network (TLN)
John Hart, Baldwin, (BPL)
Eric Hayes, Royal Oak, ROPL
Garrett Hungerford, Salem-South Lyon (SLYN)
Dan Hutchins, Pontiac (PONT)
Andy Johanesen, Chelsea (CHEL)
Renae Keelerr, Oakland County
Adam Killeen, The Library Network (TLN)
Emily Kleszez, Dearborn Heights (DHTN)
John MacDonald, Wayne (WAYN)
Lee Martin, Dexter (DDL)
Michael McEvoy, Northville (NORT)
Angie Michelini, The Library Network (TLN)
Andrew Mutch, Waterford (WATE)
Marj O’Donnel, LTPL (Lyon)
Gary Oke, Westland (WTLD)
Barb Rutkowski, Novi (NOVI)
Shery  L Schumacher, Walled Lake (WALL)
Ben Sebrowski, Commerce (COMM)
Martin Smith, Redford (REDF)
Becky Willemsec, Madison Heights (MDHT)
Donna Winter, Livonia (LVCC)

Basic Joomla Training – March 18 @ 9:30am

Filed under: News — michael @ 10:37 am

presented by the TLN Technology Committee
with Eric Hayes, IT Coordinator/Webmaster @ Royal Oak Public Library
http://www.ropl.org

Where:
Plymouth District Library
223 S Main St
Plymouth, MI 48170
(734) 453-0750
http://plymouthlibrary.org
When:
Thursday, March 18, 2010
9:30am to 11:30am

Join us at Plymouth District Library for a Basic Joomla Training class. This class will help familiarize your staff with using the Joomla Content Management System to effectively present your Library website.

12 workstations will be available for the class. The first 12 who sign up will have priority access to the provided equipment. We will be using “MovAMP” to provide a completely autonomous Joomla training environment for all who attend.

Your trainer for the event is Eric Hayes, IT Coordinator and Webmaster for Royal Oak Public Library. ROPL recently released the latest version of their website, which runs on Joomla. The class will last approximately 2 hours.

You may RSVP for this event by sending email to Michael McEvoy, Chair of the TLN Technology Committee at mmcevoy@northvillelibrary.org OR by completing the form below. Please specify who will be attending, and whether or not a laptop will be required.

Please RSVP by Thursday, March 11, 2010.

Click for PDF form

February 1, 2010

Agenda – February 16

Filed under: Agendas — michael @ 10:57 am

Agenda for Tuesday, February 16, 2010; 9:30am
Location: Northville District Library
212 W. Cady St
Northville, MI 48167
(248) 349-3020
http://www.northvillelibrary.org

Map/Directions: http://www.northvillelibrary.org/index.php/library-info/directions

Usual Business:
Introductions
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
TLN Update
Announcements & Upcoming Events

Discussion Topics:
Searchpath – Further Review and Suggested Updates
Licensing for the New User Tutorial (GPL, Creative Commons, etc)
TLN – Technology Services and Products Presentation

SubCommittee Updates
Video Conference Committee

Sharing Resources:
Security Issues
Tech Tips
Web Sites Worth a Look

Library Tour

Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 16 @ Rochester Hills

January 20, 2010

Minutes – January 19, 2010

Filed under: Minutes — goke @ 12:50 pm

TLN Technology Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Bloomfield Township Public Library

1. Usual Business:

1.1 Order and Approvals

  • Meeting called to order at 9:45am
  • Agenda for January 19, 2010 Approved
  • Minutes from November 17, 2009 Approved

1.2 TLN Update
TLN 1. Switch Replacements

  • For libraries that ordered Cisco 2960 switches and requested TLN installation, TLN staff will be setting up appointments with libraries.  TLN has requested volunteers for during-the-day swaps, if possible, rather than off-hours and weekends.  Please let TLN know if swaps during regular business hours are a possibility.
  • The goal is to have all switches installed by April 1, 2010

TLN 2. Router replacement for WAN Libraries

  • Existing Cisco routers for opt-e-man and 3MB NVPN sites will be replaced with Cicso 2811 or 2821 routers in the next 6 months

TLN 3. TLN Staff News

  • Adam Killeen has been hired as the new Senior Network Technician, replacing Derek Engi.  Adam’s start date is February 1, 2010.

TLN 4. Merit Advisory Council Highlights

  • Merit’s Traffic Breakdown: 12% Commercial / 88% Local
  • June Merit Conference will feature speakers from Cornell University and Google
  • Merit applied for state stimulus aid; primarily for running fiber to additional regions
  • Merit received a grant for FCC Rural Health Care (LINK)
  • Merit Mail is being expanded to other regions and states (250,000+ accounts and growing)
  • A single help desk for all of Merit was created to aid in issue routing and resolution
  • 8 new members joined Merit, including Detroit Public Library
  • A new PR Director was hired by Merit
  • New (and less expensive) classes should be in the Merit catalog soon.

1.3 Announcements & Upcoming Events

  • Salem-South Lyon (SLYN) has extra Checkpoint equipment obtained from Canton Public Library (after a recent update by Canton to ITG).  If you need tag readers, gates, and other related equipment, please contact Garrett Hungerford for a list of what is available.
  • Salem South Lyon will be closed on Friday, January 22 for power updates.  A new transfer switch is being installed for a power backup system.

2. Discussion Topics

2.1 Searchpath/Tutorial Review: http://tln.lib.mi.us/searchpath/index.html

  • Searchpath is a tutorial for using Information Resources.
  • Member libraries are encouraged to see if Searchpath would be of benefit.
  • Current use is unknown; a post to the “All” TLN group will be coming to determine its use.
  • Current state of Searchpath is “abandonware”.  It has not received a major update since 2007.
  • There is no timetable on iBistro/e-Library updates, which will have an impact on Searchpath
  • Other areas to research: Encore (Innovative’s Discovery Interface).  More information here:  http://encoreforlibraries.com/ and http://www.iii.com/products/encore.shtml
  • TILT (Texas Information Literacy Tutorial) has been discontinued.  It is available for institutions to use via Open Public Licensing.  It can be downloaded until May 2010.  More information here: http://tilt.lib.utsystem.edu/

2.2 Alternative Web Browsers

  • Discussion and informal poll of the browsers in use on public access computers (Internet Stations) at various member libraries.
  • The majority of member libraries use Internet Explorer (7 or 8 ) and/or Firefox along with either DeepFreeze or Group Policies to keep public systems “locked down.”
  • IE8 can be setup to clear all history, cookies, and files at close.  This feature was not included in version 7.  However the following script (batch file) can be used at launch to clear IE7 history, cookies, and files manually. Simply replace the shortcut that launches IE7 with a link to a batch file containing the following code (code provided by Gary Oke, WTLD):

RunDll32.exe InetCpl.cpl,ClearMyTracksByProcess 4351
start /d “C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\” iexplore.exe

  • Firefox can be secured/enhanced with 3rd-party tools including “Menu Editor“, “PublicFox” and “IE Tab” which can switch rendering between Mozilla’s engine and Microsoft’s.

2.3 Licensing for the New User Tutorial

  • 2-10 requests are received each month asking for use of the tutorial or development of the tutorial into other languages.
  • Notes on licensing: A) we are not the original source, B) tutorial was copyrighted in 2000.
  • Suggestions include using GPL v2 or v3, or a Creative Commons License, which allow for an “attributed to” form of use.
  • Michael (NORT) will be investigating the various licenses available and presenting his findings to the Tech-Comm list and at February’s meeting.
  • View the tutorial here: http://tech.tln.lib.mi.us/tutor/

3. Sub-Committee Updates

3.1 Green IT

  • The Green IT ”Best Practices” document will be posted under the “Best Practices” section of the Tech Comm web site: http://tln.lib.mi.us/blog/techcomm/
  • Wake-on-LAN and DeepFreeze were discussed as methods to automatically power computers on or off.

3.2 Internet Faxing Committee

  • This Committee has been closed.  Inexpensive solutions do not exist at this time.
  • Additional fax machines have been purchased by TLN.  Notification queues will be managed from these fax machines.

3.3 Video Conferencing Committee

  • More Meeting will be scheduled
  • Committee has already met with Merit and various resellers
  • In addition to more meetings, grant writing is the next step

4. Sharing Resources

4.1 Security Issues

4.2 Tech Tips:

  • Skype: Small group video conferencing can be performed with Skype.  Just use projectors, and a single web camera for this setup.  Many authors are now doing virtual visits with Skype and web cameras.
  • Wake-on-LAN: typically uses UDP packets over port 9.

4.3 Web Sites Worth a Look

4.4 Library Tour
A few of the interesting notes from the Bloomfield Township District Library tour:

  • Recently completed a 3-4 year renovation and expansion project
  • Notable technology updates include an automatic book sorting system (by Tech Logic) and a dedicated server room (with space for 14 server racks).
  • BTPL houses over 200 computers, managed by a full-time staff of two plus part-time computer support employees.
  • Access to public computer workstation is on the honor system with 2 hours being the recommended limit. No software — such as SAM, EnvisionWare, or Cassie — is used to manage patron access.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:45am

Next meeting: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 9:30am

Location: Northville District Library

Submitted by Gary Oke, WTLD

Attendees

Cheryl DeCovich  (AUBN)  decovich @ http://auburn-hills.lib.mi.us
John Hart  (BPL)   john.hart @ http://www.baldwinlib.org/
Garrett Hungerford  (SLYN)   ghungerford @ http://www.ssldl.info/
Sara Karolski  (WXM)  sstopera @ http://www.wixomlibrary.org/
John MacDonald  (WAYN)  jmac @ http://wayne.lib.mi.us
Breck McCrory  (BTPL)  mccroryb @ http://www.btpl.org
Michael McEvoy  (NORT)  mmcevoy @ http://www.northvillelibrary.org
Angie Michelini  (TLN)  amichelini @ http://tln.lib.mi.us
Gary Oke  (WTLD)  gary.oke @ http://www.westlandlibrary.org
Ben Sebrowski  (COMM)  bsebrowski @ http://www.comercelibrary.org
Denise Stefanick  (WHLK)  dstefanick @ http://www.whitelakelibrary.org
Martin Smith  (REDF)  msmith @ http://www.redfordlibrary.org
Lilian Strasser  (OTPL)  lfstrasser @ http://www.orionlibrary.org
Donna Winter  (LVCC) dwinter @ http://livonia.lib.mi.us
Joan Wu  (BTPL)  wujoan @ http://www.btpl.org

December 29, 2009

Agenda – January 19, 2010

Filed under: Agendas — michael @ 9:54 am

Agenda for Tuesday, January 19, 2010; 9:30am
Location: Bloomfield Township Public Library
1099 Lone Pine Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
248-642-5800
http://www.btpl.org/


Map/Directions:
http://www.btpl.org/about/library_location.html

Usual Business:
Introductions
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
TLN Update
Announcements & Upcoming Events

Discussion Topics:
Searchpath – Review and Suggested Updates
Alternate Web Browsers – (Firefox and MSIE for Public)
Licensing for the New User Tutorial (GPL, Creative Commons, etc)

SubCommittee Updates
Green IT – Wrap Up
Internet Faxing Committee
Video Conference Committee

Sharing Resources:
Security Issues
Tech Tips
Web Sites Worth a Look
Library Tour

Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 16 @ Northville

November 20, 2009

Minutes – November 17

Filed under: Minutes — goke @ 3:00 pm

TLN Technology Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Location: Brighton District Library

1. Usual Business:

1.1 Order and Approvals

  • Meeting called to order at 9:42 A.M.
  • Agenda for November 20th, 2009 Approved
  • Minutes from October 20th, 2009 Approved

1.2 TLN Update
1. Telecommunications Update

  • a. WATE increased circuit size from 20mb to 50mb
  • b. Plymouth on target for joining WAN in January, 2010
  • c. Ferndale is ordering a 5mb opt-e-man circuit for their renovated building

2. Bulk Purchase & Dell Equipment Items

  • a. Orders due by November 23

3. Symantec Ghost Licenses Purchase opportunity

  • a. Symantec Ghost licenses $6 each for an order of 250+ licenses

4. Switch Purchase

  • a. Bulk pricing for a Cisco Catalyst 2960 switch will be offered to members

5. Router replacement for WAN Libraries

  • a. Existing Cisco routers for opt-e-man and 3MB NVPN sites will be replaced with Cisco 2811 or 2821 routers in the next 6 months

6. State Aid News

  • a. Legislature is proposing a 40% cut

7. Cost Reduction Efforts

  • a. 3 TLN staff member accepted early retirement packages
  • b. Exploring service consolidation
  • c. Exploring using furlough days to make up for budget short fall
  • d. Changing delivery from 6-days-per-week to 5 (large libraries) and as low as 2 (small libraries)

8. Director’s Meeting Notes

  • a. Primary interest was for increased training services

1.3 Announcements & Upcoming Events

  • None

2. Discussion Topics:

2.1 TLN Technology Planning Review

  • Note: additional areas of the Technology Plan identified for future review are covered in section 3.2 of the monthly minutes.
  • The TLN Technology Plan (sections A – E) was reviewed.
  • The Technology Plan can be viewed here: http://tln.lib.mi.us/files/tlntechplan2008.pdf
  • It was recommended that the Tech Plan be posted on Tech Comm Blog as well.

2.2 Green IT Best Practices – Final Draft Approval

  • Final Draft was sent to the Tech-Comm e-mail list for approval by Friday, 11/20

2.3 Chair-Elect 2010 Appointment

  • Nominations: Garrett Hungerford, SLYN (by Angie Michelini)
  • Accepted by Garrett
  • Approved by the TLN Technology Committee
  • Garrett will back up current chair, Michael McEvoy, NORT, for the 2010 calendar year

3. Sub-Committee and Agenda Updates:

3.1 Video Conference Committee

  • The committee met with LifeSize and ID Solutions (a reseller of LifeSize)
  • TLN is investigating the possibility of hosting a video conference solution (rather than a pay-to-use program through an outside vendor)
  • Once pricing has been determined, the committee will apply for a grant
  • Questions remain on equipment delivery and support of an shared video conference system.
  • A more complete update will be provided at the January 2010 Tech Comm Meeting.

3.2 Identification of New Agenda Topics (and possible Sub-Committees)

  • From the TLN Tech Plan (Sec. C.3): Determine if Search Path tutorials need to be updated
  • From the TLN Tech Plan (Sec. D.4): Review of Recommended Hardware Specifications
  • From the TLN Tech Plan (Sec. D.6): Review of readlog.info support and practices
  • Explore the possibility of a search document repository or “Wiki” for TLN members.

4. Sharing Resources:
4.1 Security Issues

4.2 Tech Tips

  • Free Anti-virus solutions: for libraries that may have been suggesting freeware programs such as AVG or Avast to patrons, now there is another free Anti-virus solution available.  Microsoft’s Security Essentials is now out of beta, is available for FREE, and integrates the features of the older Microsoft Defender (anti-spyware) and Microsoft Live OneCare (anti-virus).  Security Essentials is for home users.  The enterprise version of this product will be called Microsoft Forefront.
  • More information here: http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

4.3 Web Sites Worth a Look

5. Library Tour

A few of the interesting notes on the Brighton District Library tour:

  • Recently obtained new projector and speaker system for the conference room(s).
  • A big fan of Envisionware for PC Access Management – the system features a new All-in-One copier and print release station.
  • Has a new Kurzweil 3000 PC station for reading assistance: http://www.kurzweiledu.com/kurz3000.aspx
  • Is experimenting with keeping all materials out of the security wraps — a brief study showed that the amounts of stolen materials were the same with or without the wraps.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:40am
Next meeeting: Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 9:30am @ Bloomfield Twp
Submitted by Gary Oke, WTLD

Attendees

  • Melanie Bell      (BRIT),           melbell@brightonlibrary.info
  • Allison Brueckner      (NORT),          abrueckner@northvillelibrary.org
  • Cheryl DeCovich    (AUBN),         decovich@auburn-hills.lib.mi.us
  • Garrett Hungerford     (SLYN),          ghungerford@ssldl.info
  • Sarah Karolski       (WIXM),         sstopera@wixomlibrary.org
  • Angie Michelini      (TLN),             amichelini@tln.lib.mi.us
  • Andrew Mutch     (WATE),         amutch@waterford.lib.mi.us
  • Gary Oke       (WTLD),         gary.oke@westlandlibrary.org
  • Martin Smith      (REDF),          msmith@redfordlibrary.org
  • Donna Winter     (LVCC),          dwinter@livonia.lib.mi.us

November 16, 2009

Agenda – November 17

Filed under: Agendas — goke @ 11:41 am

Agenda for Tuesday, November 17, 2009; 9:30am

Location: Brighton District Library
100 Library Drive
Brighton Michigan 48116
Telephone: 810/229-6571

Area Map of Brighton Library

Full Directions: http://brightonlibrary.info/about/hours.html

Usual Business:

  • Introductions
  • Approval of Agenda
  • Approval of Minutes
  • TLN Update
  • Announcements & Upcoming Events

Discussion Topics:

  • TLN Technology Planning Review
  • Green IT Recommendations – Final Draft Approval
  • Chair-Elect 2010 Appointment

Sub-Committee Updates:

  • Video Conference Committee
  • Identification of Future Sub-Committees (if necessary)

Sharing Resources:

  • Security Issues
  • Tech Tips
  • Web Sites Worth a Look

Library Tour

Next Meeting: January 19, 2010 @ Bloomfield Twp

October 26, 2009

Minutes – October 20

Filed under: Minutes — goke @ 10:30 am

TLN Technology Committee Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
Location: Livonia Civic Center Library

1. Usual Business

1.1 Order and Approvals
  • Meeting called to order at 9:38 A.M.
  • Agenda for October 20th, 2009 Approved
  • Minutes from August 18th, 2009 Approved
1.2 TLN Update – Angie Michelini
1.    Telecommunications Update

a.    4 additional libraries have joined the WAN

i.    Canton, Independence Twp, Farmington, Birmingham Baldwin

b.    Plymouth will be joining the WAN in February

2.    Routers for WAN Libraries

a.    TLN will be replacing existing routers at WAN sites with NVPN 3mb or opt-e-man circuits in 2009-2010.  The existing routers are end of life.
b.    Sites who participate in the shared system will have no additional fee
c.    Sites on the WAN who do not participate in the shared system will be asked to pay for the new router.
d.    TLN is working on trade-in pricing for existing equipment as well as volume discount pricing for new equipment

3.    Bulk purchase orders

a.    Dell e-quotes due by November 18, order will be placed on December 1

i.    Windows XP OS available through Dec 2010

b.    General items (flash drives, earbuds, headphones, etc.) due by Nov 23, order will be placed on December 1

4.    Symantec Endpoint Licenses

a.    Semi-annual order will be placed end of October
b.    Shared system libraries – no additional fee
c.    Non-shared system libraries:  $15.70/license

5.    Stimulus Grant Update

a.    TLN submitted proposal for a 10 laptop mobile lab to be shared by Oakland Cty libraries
b.    Our proposal is on the list of recommended grant recipients from the State to the Federal government.  Our proposal was bundled with MSU’s proposal.

6.    Helpdesk Statistics

a.    FY08-09 – 2801 helpdesk requests processed
b.    FY07-08 – 2518 helpdesk requests processed

7.    SAM User Group Meeting

a.    Scheduled for Weds, Feb 3, 1:30pm, Redford District Library

8.    State Aid News

a.    Legislature is proposing a 40% cut
b.    Continue to wait for final budget numbers
1.3 Announcements & Upcoming events
  • None!!!

2. Discussion Topics

2.1 TLN Technology Services Review
TLN Helpdesk: 734-281-3820 x134, Staffed:

  • Monday-Thursday: 8am-9pm
  • Friday: 8am-6pm
  • Saturday: 8:30am-4:30pm
  • Sunday: 12pm-5pm
  • New service proposals will take place in a meeting with TLN member library directors.  The meeting will take place in Redford on Friday, October 23rd and will cover 1) Video On Demand services, 2) TLN Training Room Rental, 3) Software Training from TLN,  4) EZ-Proxy DB Hosting, 5) TLN “Superbox”; customizable server devices, 6) Back IT support during local IT vacations/illness, 7) “Windows on the WAN” services, 8) Firewall Services, 9) Network Auditing and Design Services, 10) Security Auditing, and 11) Cloud-Based Services; example: backup over the WAN.
2.2 Windows 7 – Reactions to Demo (September Tech Comm Meeting)
  • General reaction to September presentation: Favorable, yet too advanced for basic user types; not enough “meat” for technical user types (IT administrators).
  • General reaction to Windows 7: Favorable.  Windows 7 addressed the performance issues of Vista and adds easier access to commonly used tasks.  Certain items broken in other Windows operating systems (Wireless stack, IE 8 connection and rendering issues) have yet to be corrected.
  • General recommendation: only upgrade if 1) you are planning on upgrading your computers, and 2) your current software is compatible.  Examples given: PWB and Polaris ILS client are not yet compatible with Windows 7. Faronics Software (DeepFreeze, WinSelect) is compatible as of the latest versions.  The Professional and Enterprise editions of Windows 7 do offer the ability to run old programs in a Windows XP virtualized mode which may prove useful for required legacy software.
2.3 Green IT
  • The “Green IT – Best Practices” document was sent to the Tech Comm list for approval and modification
  • Basic format and suggestions centered around the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Final Draft of document will be approved at the November 2010 meeting and available for download from TLN.
2.4 Chair-Elect Nominations
  • TLN Technology Committee is looking for volunteers to fill the vacant Clair-Elect position (Vice Chair).  Nominations can be made in at the next Technology Committee meeting in November or sent to the TLN “Techcomm” Mailing List.  Volunteers are welcome too.
  • Officer Positions Review (elections are in September each year):
    • Chair: Coordinates all meetings, locations, and topics.  Oversees meeting and keeps group on subject (if possible).
    • Chair-Elect: Serves as backup to the Chair (a.k.a. Vice Chair)
    • Secretary: Keeps meeting minutes and documentation of all Technology Committee events.
2.5 Meeting Locations for 2010
  • Technology Committee is accepting volunteers for hosting meetings in 2010.  Sent preferred hosting dates to Michael McEvoy (mmcevoy@northvillelibrary.org) if you wish to host a meeting.
  • Note, as 10/21/2009, all locations have been filled.  See schedule here: http://tln.lib.mi.us/blog/techcomm/meetings/

3. Sub-Committee Updates

3.1 Internet Faxing Committee (Emergency Calling Tree Committee)
  • Refresher: The purpose of the Internet Fax Committee is to explore emergency notification systems for replacement of the current TLN calling tree.  The goal are to provide better notification of TLN outages and announcements and lower calls to the help desk in the event of emergencies.  Phone, Text, E-mail, and Fax solutions have been discussed.
  • October Update: Committee discussed options for an Internet Fax solution with Merit.
  • Merit’s lowest price for a 20-minute fax “blast” is $80/month.  Merit’s price is much more expensive then consumer-based options which run $10 (or less) per month and $0.06/page (or less).
  • The down side with consumer options is that none offer a true fax broadcast.  They all use sequential sending at about 1-minute per page.  A 60-library emergency fax would reach the last library in the calling tree in 60 minutes (or more).
  • Merit’s guarantee of 20 minutes does not save a lot of time of manually faxing.  Andy Halicki (TLN) tested a fax broadcast to all member libraries and found that it took 25 minutes using 3 pre-programmed fax machines.
  • Discussed issues with a fax emergency notification system include: 1) time for all faxes to go through, 2) busy signals and number of resend attempts, 3) whether or not the fax machine is checked by staff at member libraries, and 4) whether or not local staff effectively communicate emergencies to other staff members.
  • The next step might be to look at having yearly/quarterly education for member libraries on the current calling tree and procedures to perform before calling TLN.  Such education can help to prevent breaks in the communication chain and the flow of unnecessary calls to TLN.
3.2 Video Conferencing Committee
  • The currently explored Merit/AT&T option offers a $50/hour per MCU port rate and requires a minimum 3-year contract.
  • Hardware recommendation: Lifesize
  • Due to cost, other vendor options are being researched and explored by the committee.

4. Sharing Resources:

4.1 Security Issues
  • As submitted by Andrew Mutch (WATE): Microsoft released a large security update for October including MS09-050, MS09-051, MS09-052, MS09-054, MS09-055, MS09-060, MS09-061, MS09-062, MS09-053, MS09-056, MS09-057, MS09-058, MS09-059, and others.
  • See here for more information: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms09-oct.mspx
4.2 Tech Tips
  • Drupal vs. Joomla discussion. Typical, one either uses and likes Drupal or one uses and likes Joomla.  There are not a lot of developers that like and/or use both.  The general consensus is that Joomla is easier to use, get up and running quickly and can have more stability in the modules.  Drupal has a higher learning curve but is more extensible, has more modules, and seems to be better with security updates.  Which CMS system is better depends largely on developer preference and availabilities of modules.  For example, Drupal can integrate with Sirsi ILS system via SOPAC (the “Social OPAC”).
  • Development Environment discussion: no preferred method; some libraries use separate development systems or “sandbox” devices; some use flash-drive based environments (XAMPP portable, SLAMPP, etc.); and some develop right on the production server in sectioned off areas of the web server.  There are no “best practices” to be reported on this topic.  Development strategies depend largely on personal preferences and budget.
  • “Discovery Interfaces” – “The Social OPAC”, VUFind, Blacklight were discussed
  • LogMeIn – Free remote access system that is very useful for IT administrators.  Can get through firewalls without configuration.
4.3 Web Sites Worth a Look
  • http://waterford.lib.mi.us/ – Andrew Mutch discussed the fast developing cycle of the new Waterford Township Public Library site.  The site was created using Drupal.  A brief tour of the site was given along with plans for enhancing and expanding the site’s features and content.
  • http://thesocialopac.net/ – The Social OPAC (or SOPAC) is an open source “discovery interface”, which is designed to better integrate library web sites with ILS system catalogs.  It supports Drupal sites and can link with many ILS systems, such as Sirsi (http://deep.bluedei.com/?p=60=1), Evergreen, Koha, and Innovative Interfaces (iii).
  • http://www.vufind.org/ – VUFind another open source discovery interface.
  • http://projectblacklight.org/ – another open source OPAC from the University of Virginia.
  • http://www.darienlibrary.org/ - Darien Library was mentioned as an example of how a discovery interface functions.  Check out the integration of their web site and catalog.
  • http://www.logmein.com/ – remote access system, as discussed during “Tech Tips”.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:45am
Next meeeting: Tuesday, Novemeber 17th, 2009 at 9:30am – Location: Brighton
Submitted by Gary Oke, WTLD

Attendees

Melanie Bell (BRIT),  melbell@brightonlibrary.info
Bill Bowman (IDPN),  bowmanb@indelib.org
Derek Engi (TLN),  dengi@tln.lib.mi.us
Garrent Hungerford (SLYN),  ghungerford@ssldl.info
Lee Martin (DEXT),  lmartin@dexter.lib.mi.us
Michael McEvoy (NORT),  mmcevoy@northvillelibrary.org
Angie Michelini (TLN),  amichelini@tln.lib.mi.us
Andrew Mutch (WATE),  amutch@waterford.lib.mi.us
Gary Oke (WTLD),  gary.oke@westlandlibrary.org
Martin Smith (REDF),  msmith@redfordlibrary.org
Donna Winter (LVCC),  dwinter@livonia.lib.mi.us

September 30, 2009

Agenda – October 20

Filed under: Agendas — michael @ 10:33 am

Agenda for Tuesday, October 20, 2009; 9:30am

Location: Livonia Civic Center Library
32777 Five Mile Rd
Livonia, MI 48154

Usual Business:
Introductions
Approval of Agenda
Approval of Minutes
TLN Update
Announcements & Upcoming Events

Discussion Topics:

TLN Technology Services Review
Windows 7 – Reactions to Demo, Recommendations
Green IT
Chair-Elect Nominations
Meeting Dates/Locations for 2010

SubCommittee Updates:
Internet Faxing Committee
Video Conference Committee

Sharing Resources:
Security Issues
Tech Tips
Web Sites Worth a Look

Library Tour

Next Meeting: Tuesday, November 17 @ Brighton

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